CINCINNATI -- Xavier women's soccer assistant coach and former Musketeer Keri Heedum was named the 2011 Ohio Youth Soccer Association Girls Competitive Coach of the Year. Heedum just finished her second season as the assistant coach for the Musketeer women, and helped lead the squad to its best season since 2005.

Outside of Xavier, Heedum coaches with a local youth soccer club and it was through her work that she earned the award.

"I'm flattered, humbled and honored to receive this award," said Heedum. "I feel very fortunate to coach such an outstanding group of players and greatly appreciate the continued support from their parents. I would like to say a sincere thank you to Lisa Lee, my parent administrator, for nominating me and to Alex Morawiecki and Jane Silvers for their contributing words to the nomination. I love this team, I love what I do, and I've found that if you surround yourself with great people, great things will happen. "

"Assistant college coaches often operate in the shadows, not getting the credit they deserve," said Xavier head coach Woody Sherwood. "It's great to see Keri receive such a prestigious award for her head coaching duties at the club level. She is a tremendous asset to youth players in the Cincinnati soccer community."

Heedum was a four-year starter for the Musketeers and was a captain on the Xavier team that won XU's first Atlantic 10 Conference Championship and earned its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 1998.